Immunization Awareness

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

With COVID-19 vaccines being in the news lately, we know that many people have questions about the safety of those specific vaccines, as well as other common vaccinations. Overall, vaccines are an important tool in stopping the spread of disease in children and adults.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe, available and effective

COVID-19 cases are on the rise again in Monterey County. The best way to protect yourself, and those you care about, is to get vaccinated. Salinas Valley Health Clinics has vaccine appointments available Monday through Friday. For more information or to make your appointment, click here. Currently, we encourage everyone to get vaccinated for COVID-19 and to make sure that all other needed vaccines for your age are current.

The importance of vaccinations

Knowing when to vaccinate yourself, your child and others in your family are an important part of staying healthy. Getting your child vaccinated reduces their risk of infection by working with their body’s natural defenses to help safely develop immunity to a disease. And don’t forget, adults need immunizations too. Depending on your age and whether you got shots as a child, there are several vaccinations you might want to get. Read more about which immunizations the CDC recommends for each age group here.

Below are a few common questions around being vaccinated.

Are vaccines safe?

Absolutely. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully evaluates all vaccines for safety. Federal law requires health professionals to report any reaction following an immunization to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). For more information about how vaccine safety is checked, click here.

Is it dangerous to get more than one vaccination at a time?

Getting more than one vaccine at a time is not dangerous.

After careful study, more and more vaccines are being combined into a single shot. This means you or your child needs fewer shots. Even though the vaccines are combined, each gives the same protection as it would if it were given alone.

The U.S. Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the American Academy of Pediatrics both recommend that a child get all of the vaccines needed at his or her age in one doctor visit.

Combination vaccines include:

• Hepatitis B/Haemophilus influenzae type b.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/Polio).
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/Polio/Hepatitis B.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis/Polio/Haemophilus influenzae type b.

What are the side effects of vaccines?

Most side effects from vaccines are minor, if they occur at all. They may include:

• Redness, mild swelling, or soreness where the shot was given.
• A slight fever.
• Drowsiness, crankiness, and poor appetite.
• A mild rash 7 to 14 days after chickenpox or measles-mumps-rubella shots.
• Temporary joint pain after a measles-mumps-rubella shot.

Children who are allergic to eggs may have a reaction to the type of flu vaccine that contains egg protein. If your child has an egg allergy, ask the doctor if your child can still get the flu vaccine.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about other reactions that could occur. Serious reactions, such as trouble breathing or a high fever, are rare.

If you or your child has an unusual reaction, call your doctor. It's much more dangerous to risk getting the diseases than to risk having a serious reaction to the vaccines.

If you have more questions

For additional information about COVID-19 vaccination or any other vaccine, please contact your primary care doctor. They will help you make the right decision for your health needs and risk factors. If you need to find a primary care doctor, click here to visit our provider directory.